Giant Samoan prop Census Johnston announced on Wednesday, on his 39th birthday, that he was hanging up his boots after a glittering career that notably saw him serve as a vital cog for a hugely successful Toulouse side.

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"Fa'afetai, thank you et merci," Johnson tweeted.

Born in New Zealand, Johnston represented Samoa on 60 occasions, featuring in 12 games at three Rugby World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015).

At club level, he played for Taranaki in the land of his birth before touching down in Biarritz in 2006 and going on to also turn out for Toulouse, Racing 92 and Bayonne in France, as well as enjoying a three-year spell in the English Premiership with Saracens.

The prop, standing 1.91m tall and weighing in at 138kg, was part of French league-winning teams on three occasions (Biarritz, 2006; Toulouse, 2011 and 2012) and also won the European Cup with Toulouse, with whom he played between 2009-17.

FA’AFETAI, THANKYOU et MERCI RUGBY FAMILY. 06.05.20 ???? #retirement #rugbychapter #39 #xcj5 pic.twitter.com/Uh5KFKELA7

— Census Johnston (@cenjohnston) May 6, 2020